I am in need of a 300 word discussion post and two 200 word responses.
Discussion: Compare and contrast through a critical analysis of the following laws and strategies with an emphasis on how they enhance port maritime operations: Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, The SAFE Port Act, and The Small Vessel Security Strategy. (LO7.1 & LO7.2)
Response #1 (Dosseh/ DJ): Hello Class,
This week, we delve into the critical maritime security legislations that enhance operational integrity and security at our maritime ports: the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA), the SAFE Port Act, and the Small Vessel Security Strategy.
The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 establishes comprehensive measures at U.S. ports by mandating the development of security plans for vessels and port facilities to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. This Act introduced the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), which ensures all personnel accessing secure areas are vetted and credentialed, enhancing security layers from within (Bush, 2002).
Building on the MTSA’s foundations, the SAFE Port Act of 2006 focuses on automating the cargo screening process and reinforcing the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). It emphasizes a risk-based approach for cargo inspection, allocating resources to inspect cargoes from regions associated with higher security risks and improving information-sharing coordination among various agencies to preempt threats (President’s statement on H.R. 4954, 2006).
The Small Vessel Security Strategy, implemented in 2008, addresses the challenges small vessels pose that the MTSA or SAFE Port Act might overlook. Recognizing the potential use of small vessels in smuggling or terrorist activities due to their size and agility, this strategy enhances vigilance and cooperation with the small vessel community to mitigate such threats (Department of Homeland Security, 2008).
These legislative actions form a robust framework that secures the maritime domain against various threats, demonstrating a layered and comprehensive approach to maritime security that adapts to emerging threats. I look forward to discussing these aspects further and exploring how they collectively enhance our maritime security framework.
D.J.
References:
Bush, G. W. (2002). Statement on signing the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, p. 38, 2095–2096.
President’s statement on H.R. 4954, the “Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006”. (2006). Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc.
Response #2 (Jarom): The SMART Port Legislation Act aims to enhance port security by utilizing data-driven methods and innovative technology. By adopting smart technologies, the legislation aims to bolster security responses, enhance port operations, and streamline processes. More specifically, the implementation of advanced data analytics and monitoring aims to aid in identifying vessels conducting suspicious activities, and preventing unreported, illegal, and unregulated fishing (IUU). While the SAFE Port Act emphasizes other security concerns to prevent illicit smuggling and terrorism by improving surveillance capabilities and port security. In addition, the act seeks to embolden cargo security, deploy more security at ports, and enforce much stricter screening procedures.
The Small Vessel Security Strategy seeks to address various security challenges surrounding smaller vessels by overcoming things like tracking capabilities and less than adequate monitoring. While the Maritime Transportation Security Act is a law that is aimed to improve the maritime security of the US. The act enforces security assessments, to implement measures of security on vessels and at ports, and to create various security plans.
These strategies collectively improve maritime operations and ports via newer technologies, overcoming vulnerabilities in security, and improving surveillance. Although each act attempts to strengthen capability of surveillance and maritime security, they all have a specific focus that targets vulnerabilities.
Have a blessed one!
-Jarom Carter
-P.S. I think that there is a book or two by Jared Diamond that addresses illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU). I believe it was called Collapse, and it talked about how in the Pacific Ocean that over-fishing was becoming a terrible problem.
References
(2002). Maritime transportation security act of 2002. Congress.Gov.
https://www.congress.gov/107/plaws/publ295/PLAW-107publ295.pdf
DHS. (n.d.). Small vessel security strategy. Department of Homeland Security.
https://www.dhs.gov/publication/small-vessel-security-strategy
House/Senate. (2011-2012). Summary: H.R. 4251 – SMART Port Security Act. Congress.Gov.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4251
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-illegal-unreported-and-unregulated-fishing https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4251
